June 20-June 21 marks the beginning of summer in the northern
hemisphere and simultaneously heralds the beginning of winter in the southern
hemisphere. In 2012, the summer solstice occurs and summer begins in the
Northern Hemisphere on June 20, at 7:09 p.m. EDT
Whenever
I think of the Summer solstice, I cannot forget this same time, in my late hippie teen days when I decided to
hitchhike around England with my friend Robin. One day, for no apparent reason,
we decided that this would be a nice day to hike to see Stonehenge. We had no
idea that it was the summer solstice! It was amazing and even eerie as the
Druids and other Pagans began to arrive. They started to rope off areas as
it got later in the day. Druids witness the sunrise on the longest day of the
year at the prehistoric site marking the event with religious ceremonies. We
just intuitively were in the right place at the right time. Maybe we had
cellular memories, but it was a remarkable day.
Today
at 7:20 I will be with friends drumming in celebration of the longest day of
the year.
and I am grateful. Grateful for the fullness of my life and grateful for the blossoms and bounty in my
garden. You can see in my photos below how my butterfly bush has grown through the years into more of a tree than a bush. My flowers blossom alongside my tomato, pepper, eggplant, string bean, and dill plants. The birds share along with us the delicious blueberries on our small bush in various stages of ripeness and a few
cherries are still left for the Robins, Cardinals, Mockingbirds and other birds
of this area.
The
flowers must first grow through dark soil before they blossom fully. The butterfly must first evolve within a dark
cocoon before it can flutter around the garden. So now like the butterfly and
flowers, may we shed what ever may have been constricting us and emerge at this
powerful time strong, creative and free to blossom fully. Set a positive intention for the rest of the year for
transformation and self growth.
Sending
love to all of you for a wonderful Summer solstice and may you enjoy the fullness of life.
"How did the rose open it's heart
and give to this world all of it's beauty?
It felt the encouragement of light against it's being,
otherwise we all remain too frightened."
- Hafiz